Things are thawing all over this 47o sunny day. There’s still plenty of snow, tho!
Pepper caught a mouse under a truck on the upper parking pad! Reminded me of Hazel.
Myra is observant with her drawing. Art and music are so important in schools!

Beautiful day here too. Now have 2 calves…both heifers as far as can tell..Momma of #2 calf won’t let me get close enough to tell..hope that is all for awhile…just know will have another freeze. Did spot a bluebird..not blue jay..last week.

We owned a house that had frozen gutters and the snow melting on the roof ran over the gutters and seeped down next to the foundation. ….And into the basement–what a mess. I really feel for you, Mary. I did see on TV a man on his roof with a sledge hammer breaking up the snow in his frozen gutters–not sure my husband would have been willing to do that!

I’m so sorry this happened to you. We had a problem the winter after we finished an addition when ice built up on the shady side of the roof and when it thawed, the water found it’s way in. We bought a heated wire at Home Depot and placed it about 8 – 12 inches above the gutter. We only plug it into the outdoor plug when winter storms are forecast and we haven’t had a problem since. Only had it one time prior, but that one was enough!

I managed to escape Colorado just after the blizzard and all of the road closures. Drove 10 hours south to White Sands Missile base yesterday to prepare for tomorrow’s Bataan Memorial Death March (this year is the 30th annual memorial March with over 8000 participants). I stepped out of my tent this morning and noticed a fresh dusting of powder on the surrounding peaks. As we were drinking our morning coffee we noticed a few flakes coming down. Soon we were in a full-blown snowstorm!!! Tents were collapsing all around from the weight of the heavy, wet snow. Snowmen soldiers were built, snowball fights ensued, and people generally made the best of the adventure. By late afternoon, the snow had melted and the skies cleared (it will be COLD tonight!!). We gather tomorrow at 6 am for the opening ceremony and then begin our trek through the sand and the mountains. Our little group are all military parents, walking to honor the Mom’s who waited for word during WWII as well as the Mom’s who wait today.

Diane Bauer – so what state are you in and do they normally get snowstorms? When you say “trek through sand and mountains”, what do you mean – desert and small mountains, how far, how long will it take you, is it a race? Just interested.

I’m in northern Colorado. Snow is typical anytime between September and May. The mountains can get snow any month of the year and often they do.
The Bataan Death March memorializes the original March through the Philippines during WWII. Many American soldiers were captured by the Philippine Army and were forced to march something like 80 miles through malaria infested country without food or water. I don’t know exact numbers, but there were many casualties. There are now only 5-6 remaining survivors and they were all in attendance at the event. One survivor who is over 100 walked the first two miles with the group—pretty amazing and speaks loudly of the resilience of that group!! This was the 30th year of the memorial event. There is a marathon, an ultra marathon, a half marathon, and the 14.2 mile honorary walk that I did. It’s held annually at White Sands Missile Base outside of Las Cruces, New Mexico—very near the Mexican border. 8600+ participants registered this year. Out of 1400 honorary walkers, there were 220 who dropped out somewhere along the course. They have tried to recreate conditions similar to the original Bataan Death March in terms of difficulty, so more than s mile of it is slogging through deep sand, several miles are at a relatively steep incline, and all is out in the New Mexican sun—no shade whatsoever. But the scenery is magnificent!! We could not have asked for a better day—the day prior we had snow which is very unusual for White Sands, and the day after we had high winds—also not unusual! You’ll see many photos on my FB and Instagram in the next few days after I return to Colorado. At the moment I feel like I’m eating my way through Santa Fe—I LOVE New Mexico Mexican food!!!

Diane Bauer – Thank You, Diane, for educating all of us about this event which I have never heard of. Sounds like an impossible march during WWII and to think there are survivors who take part in this memorial walk. This was just great! I have already seen some of your pictures on FB – looks like a good time was had by all! Hope everybody who was wondering about this reads Diane’s explanation. Thanks again!

Interestingly enough, I ran into a couple in a store in Santa Fe this morning and the woman had on a Colorado Rockies jacket so I stopped to say hello. Turns out her husband’s uncle was a Bataan survivor (now deceased), so we had a chat about the event. Then I stopped at a rest stop north of Pueblo, CO on my way home and ran into another couple from Montana who had done the 26.2 mile ruck on Sunday at the event. Then I got back to Fort Collins tonight and picked up my pups at the kennel and the woman who was checking the dogs back out to me asked what I’d done on my trip and when I told her, she said that her husband’s uncle was a survivor!!! It is, indeed, a VERY small world!! I had never heard of Bataan before my friend asked me if I wanted to join her and now I’ve got many connections to the event!!

Mary, we’d know you anywhere … Myra’s drawing is like a photograph of you, ha! Love the glasses, the curls and the rosy cheeks… see, even in black and white, I imagine your rosy cheeks! That’s so precious!

It’s so fun to see all the animals breathing a sigh of relief to be outside finally. Wish it could be for good, but I know better. Still, a breath of things to come. The drawing of you and Becky is just great with so much funny detail. What a talent these kids have! I credit their family, their school, and their mentor.

I woke up to snow today! This middle American weather is amazing! What a winter we have had. Yesterday was sunny and about 40 so I took a walk. Trees are starting to bud and little green leaves are popping up in flowerbeds. Now we have snow for St. Patrick’s Day. Oh well. Have a wonderful day. I know I will be cooking corn beef and cabbage. I am honestly Irish.

I’m so happy the snow is melting!!! I normally don’t mind winter-but this year ENOUGH is ENOUGH, Phew glad I got that off my chest! Hope this makes it too you-I just thought I was hitting the wrong button when my comments were lost somewhere in cyberspace. When I see that chicken I always think of Phylis Diller. Like everyone else, I’ve had leaking from the ceiling and from the basement, not anything like yours Mary. The ads are not as plentiful as they were-maybe I need to visit a few more sites.Hope your team won Mary, from the woods of Wisconsin.

Mary, I don’t know if this is the place to ask, but would you share the brand of plastic covers and hooks that you put on your screened in porch for my neighbor? She has been looking for something this Winter and I remembered your system.
Our Buckeyes made it in the Big Dance! They have had a tough year.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Thanks.
Connie Martin

Connie Martin- they are not any brand name- we had them custom made by a “tent and awning “ company in Mason City, IA. The business in Mason City is closed but someone must have bought it and moved it to Rockford, IA but I can’t tell you who. An upholstery service could make this type of cover.

Wow, Mary! Myra can draw! I love to see children’s drawings they look at everything with different eyes that we do. I was very interested on the commemoration of the Battan March, I hope the lady replies.

Sorry to hear about your water problems, we still have quite a bit of snow to melt. Have a nice day!